PLANS to sell off the disused police station in Norwood Green have been slammed by Ealing Council.

The move could put too much strain on Southall's existing police station in Uxbridge Road and will do nothing to reassure residents living in fear of crime.

Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for safer communities at Ealing said: "Fear of crime in Norwood Green and Southall Green wards is amongst the highest in the borough, so if anything we need to have a more visible policing presence in the area.

"The closure is also having a knock-on effect on Southall Police Station, which suffers long queues at the front desk."

Mr Dheer also criticised the Met for giving the council a short timeframe to respond to its latest consultation, which finished on Monday.

Rajinder Mann, Mayor of Ealing and ward councillor for Norwood Green said: "This consultation is a whitewash. The people in charge have already decided what to do with the site.

"I think any plans to sell the building are disgusting. Southall is already over-populated and crime is on the increase.

"The glut of new houses that will be built means there will be an extra 3,000 people in the area. The main police station in Uxbridge Road cannot cope with all this."

The station was boarded up in late 2008 following a consultation but remains part of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) estate.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams based at the site were relocated to a purpose-built facility at The Arches in Merrick Road, Southall.

A statement from the MPS said: "Norwood Green Police Station is not fit for purpose for modern policing. It will cost a significant amount of money to make any improvements.

"Any finances raised from the sale of the station would be available for the improvement of other police buildings in Ealing Borough"

"The Arches is the ward base for two Safer Neighbourhood Teams, who are working to deliver community policing.

"Officers continue to patrol on their ward areas, working to make Ealing a safer place to live, work and visit."